Passengers could travel through A9 without LTTE check points after 19 years

The road (the A9) came under government control this year during the final onslaught against Tamil Tiger rebels.

Before that it had been rebel-controlled for more than twenty years.

The highway was ceremonially opened to the public by Basil Rajapaksa, MP and Senior Advisor to the President, the government information department said.

It said 210 passengers were transported from Jaffna to Medawachchiya in five buses provided by the government.

'Not just elections!'

The passengers, who were stopped at Medawachchiya check point later joined the buses transporting them to Colombo and Vavuniya.

In weeks to come, we will try to normalise the A9. We have asked private bus owners to apply for route permits to operate from Vavunia to Jaffna Minister Douglas Devananda

It is the first time since May 2006 passengers were allowed to travel through the A9. Until then, they were allowed through government and LTTE check points.

It is the first time in 19 years the passengers could travel through the highway without the presence of LTTE check points.

However the road is only opened at day time and it will facilitate the supplies through land says Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda.

"In weeks to come, we will try to normalise the A9. We have asked private bus owners to apply for route permits to operate from Vavunia to Jaffna," the minister told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.

"It is not just for elections!", the minister said refering to the forthcoming local government elections in Jaffna and Vavunia.

A BBC correspondent said the opening of the road illustrates government efforts to get infrastructure in Sri Lanka back to normal.